Biology Flashcards: Evaluate Solutions For Ecosystem Impacts

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Evaluate Solutions For Ecosystem Impacts, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for Biology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is eutrophication?

Answer: Nutrient enrichment causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion. Excess nutrients promote algae growth, which depletes oxygen when it decomposes.

Flashcard 2: Which policy tool directly puts a price per unit of greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer: Carbon tax. Directly charges polluters for emissions, incentivizing reduction through price.

Flashcard 3: What is carbon sequestration?

Answer: Long-term storage of carbon in biomass, soils, oceans, or geologic formations. Removes $CO_2$ from atmosphere and stores it to reduce climate change.

Flashcard 4: What is the main environmental drawback of relying heavily on landfills?

Answer: Methane production and leachate that can contaminate groundwater. Organic waste decomposes anaerobically, producing greenhouse gases and toxic leachate.

Flashcard 5: Which option best reduces $CO_2$ emissions: improving energy efficiency or increasing coal use?

Answer: Improving energy efficiency. Efficiency reduces energy demand while coal increases emissions.

Flashcard 6: Which forestry strategy best maintains biodiversity while allowing harvest?

Answer: Selective logging with sustainable yield management. Removes only some trees while maintaining forest structure and biodiversity.

Flashcard 7: What does the precautionary principle recommend when ecological risk is uncertain?

Answer: Avoid actions with potential severe harm even without full proof. Better to be safe than sorry when ecosystem damage could be irreversible.

Flashcard 8: Which choice best reduces habitat fragmentation from a new road: wildlife overpasses or more lanes?

Answer: Wildlife overpasses (or underpasses). Allows animals to cross roads safely, reconnecting fragmented habitats.

Flashcard 9: Which solution best reduces bycatch in commercial fishing?

Answer: Selective gear (for example, turtle excluder devices). Allows target species to be caught while non-target species escape.

Flashcard 10: Which strategy best reduces runoff and flooding in urban areas?

Answer: Green infrastructure (permeable pavement, rain gardens, green roofs). Mimics natural water cycle by allowing infiltration instead of surface runoff.

Flashcard 11: What is the main conservation advantage of protecting an ecosystem "hotspot"?

Answer: High species endemism and high threat make protection highly efficient. Protects maximum biodiversity per conservation dollar by focusing on threatened areas.

Flashcard 12: What is the most direct ecological advantage of wetlands for water quality?

Answer: Filter pollutants and trap sediments and excess nutrients. Natural filtration system that improves water quality through biological processes.

Flashcard 13: Which agricultural practice most directly improves soil structure and reduces erosion?

Answer: No-till or reduced-till farming. Maintains soil structure and organic matter while reducing disturbance.

Flashcard 14: Identify the best method to reduce nonpoint pollution: riparian buffers or taller smokestacks.

Answer: Riparian buffers. Buffers filter diffuse pollution while smokestacks don't address nonpoint sources.

Flashcard 15: Which option best reduces urban heat and runoff: planting trees or replacing parks with asphalt?

Answer: Planting trees. Trees provide shade, absorb water, and cool air; asphalt increases heat and runoff.

Flashcard 16: What is the main difference between point-source and nonpoint-source pollution?

Answer: Point: single identifiable source; nonpoint: diffuse sources. Point sources are easier to regulate and control than diffuse nonpoint sources.

Flashcard 17: Which solution best reduces bycatch in commercial fishing?

Answer: Selective gear (for example, turtle excluder devices). Allows target species to be caught while non-target species escape.

Flashcard 18: What is integrated pest management (IPM)?

Answer: Using monitoring and multiple controls to minimize pesticide use. Combines biological, cultural, and chemical methods to reduce pesticide dependence.

Flashcard 19: Identify the better solution for overfishing: catch limits or increasing fishing fleet size.

Answer: Catch limits. Limits prevent depletion while fleet expansion worsens overfishing.

Flashcard 20: What is integrated pest management (IPM)?

Answer: Using monitoring and multiple controls to minimize pesticide use. Combines biological, cultural, and chemical methods to reduce pesticide dependence.

Flashcard 21: What is the primary benefit of reforestation for ecosystem impacts?

Answer: Restores habitat and increases carbon sequestration. Trees absorb $CO_2$ from atmosphere and provide wildlife habitat.

Flashcard 22: Which choice best reduces habitat fragmentation from a new road: wildlife overpasses or more lanes?

Answer: Wildlife overpasses (or underpasses). Allows animals to cross roads safely, reconnecting fragmented habitats.

Flashcard 23: Which policy tool sets a maximum total emission and allows trading of permits?

Answer: Cap-and-trade. Creates market incentives to reduce emissions while maintaining economic flexibility.

Flashcard 24: What is biodiversity (in a way relevant to evaluating ecosystem solutions)?

Answer: Variety of genes, species, and ecosystems in an area. Includes genetic diversity within species, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Flashcard 25: What is the primary ecological benefit of riparian buffer strips along streams?

Answer: Reduce runoff, erosion, and nutrient loading into waterways. Vegetation along streams filters pollutants and stabilizes banks against erosion.

Flashcard 26: Which policy tool directly puts a price per unit of greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer: Carbon tax. Directly charges polluters for emissions, incentivizing reduction through price.

Flashcard 27: Which land-use approach concentrates development to protect surrounding habitat?

Answer: Smart growth (compact, higher-density development). Reduces urban sprawl and preserves natural areas around developed zones.

Flashcard 28: What is the definition of an ecosystem service in environmental biology?

Answer: Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems (provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting). These are the four main categories of benefits ecosystems provide to humans.

Flashcard 29: Which solution best protects biodiversity long-term: creating connected reserves or isolated small parks?

Answer: Creating connected reserves. Connectivity allows gene flow and migration; isolation leads to local extinctions.

Flashcard 30: Which waste strategy best matches the term "source reduction"?

Answer: Preventing waste generation before it occurs. Most effective approach by eliminating waste at the source rather than managing it later.

Flashcard 31: Which option is the best solution to reduce eutrophication from farms: more fertilizer or buffer strips?

Answer: Buffer strips. Buffer strips filter nutrients before they reach water bodies.

Flashcard 32: What is the most direct ecological meaning of sustainability?

Answer: Meeting needs without reducing future ecosystem function and resources. Ensures resources remain available for future generations while protecting ecosystem health.

Flashcard 33: Which solution most directly prevents introduction of aquatic invasive species by ships?

Answer: Treat or exchange ballast water before discharge. Ballast water carries organisms between ports, spreading invasive species globally.

Flashcard 34: Which forestry strategy best maintains biodiversity while allowing harvest?

Answer: Selective logging with sustainable yield management. Removes only some trees while maintaining forest structure and biodiversity.

Flashcard 35: Which option best reduces soil loss: planting cover crops or leaving soil bare after harvest?

Answer: Planting cover crops. Cover crops protect soil from erosion between main crop seasons.

Flashcard 36: Which option best restores a degraded stream: replant native riparian vegetation or channelize the stream?

Answer: Replant native riparian vegetation. Native vegetation filters pollution and provides habitat; channeling increases erosion.

Flashcard 37: Which option is the best solution to reduce eutrophication from farms: more fertilizer or buffer strips?

Answer: Buffer strips. Buffer strips filter nutrients before they reach water bodies.

Flashcard 38: What is the core claim of the "tragedy of the commons" in resource use?

Answer: Shared resources are overused without regulation or cooperation. Individual users act in self-interest, depleting shared resources for everyone.

Flashcard 39: What is an invasive species (as used in evaluating ecosystem management)?

Answer: Non-native species that spreads and causes ecological or economic harm. Outcompetes native species and disrupts natural ecosystem balance and function.

Flashcard 40: Which option best reduces urban heat and runoff: planting trees or replacing parks with asphalt?

Answer: Planting trees. Trees provide shade, absorb water, and cool air; asphalt increases heat and runoff.

Flashcard 41: Which solution most directly prevents introduction of aquatic invasive species by ships?

Answer: Treat or exchange ballast water before discharge. Ballast water carries organisms between ports, spreading invasive species globally.

Flashcard 42: What is the main purpose of a wildlife corridor in fragmented habitats?

Answer: Increase gene flow and movement between habitat patches. Connects isolated habitats, allowing animals to migrate and breed between patches.

Flashcard 43: What is the main conservation advantage of protecting an ecosystem "hotspot"?

Answer: High species endemism and high threat make protection highly efficient. Protects maximum biodiversity per conservation dollar by focusing on threatened areas.

Flashcard 44: What is the main purpose of an environmental impact assessment (EIA)?

Answer: Predict and mitigate environmental harm before a project proceeds. Identifies potential problems early so they can be avoided or minimized.

Flashcard 45: Which farming practice most directly reduces soil erosion on slopes?

Answer: Contour plowing. Following natural slope contours slows water flow and reduces soil loss.

Flashcard 46: What is biomagnification?

Answer: Increase in toxin concentration at higher trophic levels. Occurs because toxins accumulate in fatty tissues and concentrate up food chains.

Flashcard 47: Which option best addresses biomagnifying toxins: banning persistent pollutants or adding more pesticides?

Answer: Banning persistent pollutants. Bans prevent accumulation while more pesticides worsen biomagnification.

Flashcard 48: Which energy strategy most directly reduces $CO_2$ emissions from electricity generation?

Answer: Replacing fossil fuels with low-carbon renewables (wind, solar, hydro). Renewables produce minimal greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuel combustion.

Flashcard 49: What is the main ecological purpose of a marine protected area (MPA)?

Answer: Limit extraction to allow populations and habitats to recover. Provides safe areas where species can reproduce without fishing pressure.

Flashcard 50: What is the primary goal of restoration ecology?

Answer: Rebuild degraded ecosystems toward native structure and function. Returns damaged ecosystems to their original state and ecological processes.

Flashcard 51: Which option best reduces soil loss: planting cover crops or leaving soil bare after harvest?

Answer: Planting cover crops. Cover crops protect soil from erosion between main crop seasons.

Flashcard 52: Which water-treatment approach most directly reduces nutrient pollution from sewage?

Answer: Tertiary treatment that removes nitrates and phosphates. Advanced treatment specifically targets nutrients that cause eutrophication.

Flashcard 53: Which metric best indicates improved water quality after reducing organic pollution?

Answer: Higher dissolved oxygen (DO). Higher oxygen levels indicate reduced organic pollution and healthier aquatic ecosystems.

Flashcard 54: What is the main environmental drawback of relying heavily on landfills?

Answer: Methane production and leachate that can contaminate groundwater. Organic waste decomposes anaerobically, producing greenhouse gases and toxic leachate.

Flashcard 55: Which choice best reduces invasive spread: cleaning boats between lakes or releasing aquarium pets?

Answer: Cleaning boats between lakes. Cleaning removes organisms from boats; releasing pets introduces invasives.

Flashcard 56: Which land-use approach concentrates development to protect surrounding habitat?

Answer: Smart growth (compact, higher-density development). Reduces urban sprawl and preserves natural areas around developed zones.

Flashcard 57: Which farming practice most directly reduces soil erosion on slopes?

Answer: Contour plowing. Following natural slope contours slows water flow and reduces soil loss.

Flashcard 58: Identify the best method to reduce nonpoint pollution: riparian buffers or taller smokestacks.

Answer: Riparian buffers. Buffers filter diffuse pollution while smokestacks don't address nonpoint sources.

Flashcard 59: What is the main ecological purpose of a marine protected area (MPA)?

Answer: Limit extraction to allow populations and habitats to recover. Provides safe areas where species can reproduce without fishing pressure.

Flashcard 60: What is biodiversity (in a way relevant to evaluating ecosystem solutions)?

Answer: Variety of genes, species, and ecosystems in an area. Includes genetic diversity within species, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Flashcard 61: What is sustainable yield in resource management?

Answer: Harvest rate that does not exceed natural replacement rate. Balances human use with natural regeneration to maintain long-term productivity.

Flashcard 62: What is the primary goal of biological control for invasive species?

Answer: Use natural enemies to reduce invasive populations with minimal chemicals. Uses predators, parasites, or diseases specific to the invasive species.

Flashcard 63: What is carbon sequestration?

Answer: Long-term storage of carbon in biomass, soils, oceans, or geologic formations. Removes $CO_2$ from atmosphere and stores it to reduce climate change.

Flashcard 64: What is the main difference between point-source and nonpoint-source pollution?

Answer: Point: single identifiable source; nonpoint: diffuse sources. Point sources are easier to regulate and control than diffuse nonpoint sources.

Flashcard 65: What is the primary ecological benefit of riparian buffer strips along streams?

Answer: Reduce runoff, erosion, and nutrient loading into waterways. Vegetation along streams filters pollutants and stabilizes banks against erosion.

Flashcard 66: What is the most direct ecological advantage of wetlands for water quality?

Answer: Filter pollutants and trap sediments and excess nutrients. Natural filtration system that improves water quality through biological processes.

Flashcard 67: What is the most direct ecological meaning of sustainability?

Answer: Meeting needs without reducing future ecosystem function and resources. Ensures resources remain available for future generations while protecting ecosystem health.

Flashcard 68: What is an invasive species (as used in evaluating ecosystem management)?

Answer: Non-native species that spreads and causes ecological or economic harm. Outcompetes native species and disrupts natural ecosystem balance and function.

Flashcard 69: Which approach best reduces negative impacts of mining after extraction ends?

Answer: Land reclamation (recontouring, replacing soil, replanting natives). Restores disturbed land to productive use and prevents ongoing environmental damage.

Flashcard 70: What does the precautionary principle recommend when ecological risk is uncertain?

Answer: Avoid actions with potential severe harm even without full proof. Better to be safe than sorry when ecosystem damage could be irreversible.

Flashcard 71: Identify the better solution for overfishing: catch limits or increasing fishing fleet size.

Answer: Catch limits. Limits prevent depletion while fleet expansion worsens overfishing.

Flashcard 72: What is the main purpose of an environmental impact assessment (EIA)?

Answer: Predict and mitigate environmental harm before a project proceeds. Identifies potential problems early so they can be avoided or minimized.

Flashcard 73: Which option best reduces $CO_2$ emissions: improving energy efficiency or increasing coal use?

Answer: Improving energy efficiency. Efficiency reduces energy demand while coal increases emissions.

Flashcard 74: Which approach best reduces negative impacts of mining after extraction ends?

Answer: Land reclamation (recontouring, replacing soil, replanting natives). Restores disturbed land to productive use and prevents ongoing environmental damage.

Flashcard 75: What is habitat fragmentation?

Answer: Breaking habitat into smaller, isolated patches. Reduces habitat size and connectivity, limiting species movement and gene flow.

Flashcard 76: Which option best addresses biomagnifying toxins: banning persistent pollutants or adding more pesticides?

Answer: Banning persistent pollutants. Bans prevent accumulation while more pesticides worsen biomagnification.

Flashcard 77: Which metric best indicates improved water quality after reducing organic pollution?

Answer: Higher dissolved oxygen (DO). Higher oxygen levels indicate reduced organic pollution and healthier aquatic ecosystems.

Flashcard 78: Which solution best protects biodiversity long-term: creating connected reserves or isolated small parks?

Answer: Creating connected reserves. Connectivity allows gene flow and migration; isolation leads to local extinctions.

Flashcard 79: What is the main purpose of a wildlife corridor in fragmented habitats?

Answer: Increase gene flow and movement between habitat patches. Connects isolated habitats, allowing animals to migrate and breed between patches.

Flashcard 80: Which option best restores a degraded stream: replant native riparian vegetation or channelize the stream?

Answer: Replant native riparian vegetation. Native vegetation filters pollution and provides habitat; channeling increases erosion.

Flashcard 81: What is the core claim of the "tragedy of the commons" in resource use?

Answer: Shared resources are overused without regulation or cooperation. Individual users act in self-interest, depleting shared resources for everyone.

Flashcard 82: Which agricultural practice most directly improves soil structure and reduces erosion?

Answer: No-till or reduced-till farming. Maintains soil structure and organic matter while reducing disturbance.

Flashcard 83: Which waste strategy best matches the term "source reduction"?

Answer: Preventing waste generation before it occurs. Most effective approach by eliminating waste at the source rather than managing it later.

Flashcard 84: Which water-treatment approach most directly reduces nutrient pollution from sewage?

Answer: Tertiary treatment that removes nitrates and phosphates. Advanced treatment specifically targets nutrients that cause eutrophication.

Flashcard 85: Which choice best reduces invasive spread: cleaning boats between lakes or releasing aquarium pets?

Answer: Cleaning boats between lakes. Cleaning removes organisms from boats; releasing pets introduces invasives.

Flashcard 86: Which policy tool sets a maximum total emission and allows trading of permits?

Answer: Cap-and-trade. Creates market incentives to reduce emissions while maintaining economic flexibility.

Flashcard 87: Which strategy best reduces runoff and flooding in urban areas?

Answer: Green infrastructure (permeable pavement, rain gardens, green roofs). Mimics natural water cycle by allowing infiltration instead of surface runoff.

Flashcard 88: What is the definition of an ecosystem service in environmental biology?

Answer: Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems (provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting). These are the four main categories of benefits ecosystems provide to humans.

Flashcard 89: Which energy strategy most directly reduces $CO_2$ emissions from electricity generation?

Answer: Replacing fossil fuels with low-carbon renewables (wind, solar, hydro). Renewables produce minimal greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuel combustion.

Flashcard 90: What is sustainable yield in resource management?

Answer: Harvest rate that does not exceed natural replacement rate. Balances human use with natural regeneration to maintain long-term productivity.

Flashcard 91: What is a keystone species?

Answer: Species with disproportionately large effects on community structure. Their removal causes major ecosystem changes due to their critical ecological role.

Flashcard 92: What is the primary benefit of reforestation for ecosystem impacts?

Answer: Restores habitat and increases carbon sequestration. Trees absorb $CO_2$ from atmosphere and provide wildlife habitat.

Flashcard 93: What is the primary goal of biological control for invasive species?

Answer: Use natural enemies to reduce invasive populations with minimal chemicals. Uses predators, parasites, or diseases specific to the invasive species.

Flashcard 94: What is the primary goal of restoration ecology?

Answer: Rebuild degraded ecosystems toward native structure and function. Returns damaged ecosystems to their original state and ecological processes.